New beginnings

A huge shout out to Samson, @7braidstrong for another fun shoot and for making me hang out in a random carpark/fake basketball court. It's always a dope time with him. Follow him on Insta and check out more of his work at 7braidstrong.com.

Anyway, this series of shots became all the more special because I'm using this post to bookmark a change in my life. Having worked in the same financial institution for over five years, I've decided to try something new and will be moving into a new industry - e-commerce! I'm excited by the tech space and I can't wait to be inspired by that whole start-up life.

Obviously I'm nervous too, it's a big change and I'm taking a big step out of my comfort zone but if not now, then when, am I right?

I actually felt a little melancholic when I made my intention to leave known, as it brought back many wonderful memories, getting to know so many people, and having so many great experiences.

Things I will miss include but are not limited to:

• Proximity to acai bowls
• The ease of simply hopping on a train to get some Tori Q
• Free Nescafe coffee that coffee snobs would turn their nose up to, but that I've gotten very accustomed to
• Free company exercise activities 
• Egg tarts from Hong Lim Park
• Full length mirrors in bathrooms with great natural lighting for when you wanna show your friend your outfit cos it's totally on point that day

Last but not least, my work friends! If you're reading this, keep fighting the good fight and soaring towards greater achievements. Thank you for all the guidance, care and advice over the years/months of knowing me. Working was made easier with you around and you will be deeply missed.

Anyway, onward ho! Thanks for reading! BIG HUGS!

Larger than life

 

 Top: Neon Rose (Similar here) | Skirt: Asos (Similar here) | Shoes: Repetto (Similar here)

Ring: Gift from Wens (Similar here) | Bag: Chicnova

  
One night, my friend was telling me about some young ladies she works with, and how they eat extremely health consciously - strawberries and cucumbers only for lunch, etc. Being young ladies in their early twenties, I'm sure their metabolism can well afford a beating but yet they stick to this bird-like eating habit. No shame on that of course, eating healthy is great, and I don't know, perhaps they really enjoy that kind of diet but I'd choose burgers, kway teow, laksa, fried rice, french fries... Basically anything carb loaded any day. 

And clearly it shows. 

I've actually been feeling a little rounder lately, and hey, no shame in that right? I enjoy my food. But today I stepped on the weighing scale and got a rude shock. I'd gained 3 kilos since the last time I weighed myself - probably a year? And yes, I know, it's not drastic, but I'm creeping back to the weight I was when I first came back to Singapore from Canada - when a friend said to me 'Al! You've gone from a size 2 to a size 6! What happened? Did you eat yourself??' (This friend works in fashion so I guess size is a big deal). 

While I haven't been obsessed with my weight in ages, I think I actually felt a bit grossed out. I don't mean to say gaining weight is unhealthy but in my situation it's really a reflection of my lifestyle. I've been kind of stressed, and when I'm stressed, I like to eat fried chicken. And I haven't really been exercising either because I've been lazy. Overall, I feel terribly unhealthy inside and out. 

So anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm on a diet, but the good healthy kind, not the crazy person kind. 

Thanks for reading! 

Strong

Grandfather's road

Dress: Can't recall (Similar here) | Stockings: Propeds | Necklace: Twentyeight Lane (Similar here) | Shoes Asos (Similar here) 

So I had a spontaneous photoshoot with my friend Samson, a freelance photographer and designer, and I gotta say, the photos are awesome! The photos above (and more that I didn't show) were taken by Samson in the span of 30 minutes and I'm impressed with how chill and fun it was to shoot these even though I was bloody sweating buckets. Mad props to him as I don't look sweaty, plus he's made me look so much cooler than I actually am and I look like a freaking angel because of the way the sun hits me. I love it big time.

Samson does a whole range of photography and you can check out his work at his website 7braidstrong.com or follow his 7braidstrong insta account. Follow him and hire him to photograph your events. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for reading!

Alex can't afford to wear stuff

Top: ASOS (Similar here) | Skirt: ASOS (Similar here) | Shoes: Keds (Similar here)

Clutch: ASOS | Sunglasses: Nichii (Similar here) 

You might have gathered from my previous post that I've been on the hunt for an apartment. It's been kind of fun visiting showflats and actual flats but it's also been a really sobering experience. My main problem is that I have yuppie inclinations - You know, the live-in-a-condo-sip-on-Nespresso kind of fantasy? That would be all well and good if I had maybe erm, a lot of money in the bank.

What all this really means is that I'm going to have to buckle down and really put an effort into saving, and cutting unnecessary costs. Which really means I'm going to have to stop all my frivolous shopping. This blog should be renamed 'Alex can't afford to wear stuff' and then have me basically whining about how things are expensive and I'm suffering. Basically, mad first world problems.

At the end of the day though, the idea of going out there and owning my own place and not having to share a fridge with the world's greatest food hoarder is quite appealing. Not to say I don't enjoy living with the momster. I guess I just want to have my own space. But also, ensure that I live no more than 10 minutes walk away from her. Oh yeah. Real grown up here.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope you'll put up with the whining.   

I had a dream

Dress worn as top: Shein | Skirt: ASOS (Similar here) | Shoes: Shein

Bag: Chicnova | Ring: Twentyeight Lane | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 

Holy crapballs. I am tired. I've been having all kinds of dreams lately (I think this is because my brain is supercharged during the day with the buttloads of work I'm doing).

Some snippets of my dreams of late....

I dreamt that I was babysitting someone else's baby. And it pooped. So I had to clean its butt. That's about as exciting as it gets.

I dreamt that the boo and I were leads in a play and our characters had to get married in the play, so we hired a real justice of peace and we got married onstage for reals. Then I texted my besties to tell them, 'hey so I'm married now.' What kinds of besties don't even come and watch me perform??

And before you think I've got wedding and babies on my mind...

I also dreamt that I was being attacked by a Terminator-like robot woman who I kept shooting at but she wouldn't freaking die. I was literally being held onto by her and I was shooting her in the face and she didn't even flinch. I woke up just as she was going to totally murder me. So yeah.

I'm not sure what all this really means and I'm way too lazy to go analyse my dreams but I think it probably means that I need a raise.

Thanks for reading!

Feed me

Top: H&M | Skirt: Smooch the Label | Shoes: Sophia Webster | Bag: OG (Similar here)

Sunglasses: Far East Plaza (Similar here) | Earrings: Diva (Similar here) | Ring: Vintage (Similar here)   

I'm not big on body-hugging attire mostly because while I think I'm past that whole body image disorder business, I still feel a slight pressure to suuuuuuck it all in when I'm in form fitting clothes. However, I'll make exceptions on occasion especially when the print of the skirt is super duper cute (like above).

I'm all for body positivity and being comfortable in my own skin, but I think a lot of that starts from within. I choose to eat a little more healthily these days because I know that age and metabolism are my enemies and I fight them so I know that I'll be happier in the long run.

Aside from some basic exercise, I try to eat more vegetables and fibre and cut down on food with high sugar and fat content on weekdays, while letting myself enjoy life a little (okay, a lot) on weekends.

Here are some of my suggestions for eating relatively healthier if you work in the CBD area:

Do Si Rak: So I just found out about this little joint in China Square Central but according to the owner, it's been around for more than 6 months. It offers Korean style white rice boxes in a cute little package and you just need to shake it up with the lid on to mix the delicious ingredients in. They've worked with a nutritionist to ensure each box is less than 500 calories and filled with awesome stuff. Each bowl costs about $8 to $9 but for a little extra, you can change the white rice to whole grain rice or Korean buckwheat noodles. There's limited counter style seating and I normally order the soy sesame chicken box to go.

So much yummy

It comes in cute packaging!

Pre-shaking

Shake it like a polaroid picture

Sumo Salad: This is from Raffles City so it requires some walking to get to.  It's just a stall in the basement so there isn't any seating available but they have lots of options and like most salad places, they have customisable salads but unlike most places, they also offer sumo bowls (heated quinoa, brown rice, veg, and a protein bowls) which I big time love because I prefer my food hot not cold. The salads are like $6 - $10 depending on the size of the container and the sumo bowls are only in 2 sizes (small and big) and it's $9.50 or $10.50 respectively but they really pack it in so it's quite filling. 

Sumo sumptuousness

Tofu and mix greens bowl

Munch: This salad shop is a franchise and the one I go to operates out of the food court in China Square. They have a bunch of options including sandwiches and breakfast foods but I normally stick to the 1 protein + 2 sides which costs $10.90. I normally have the John Dory fish, some quinoa (if available or brown rice) and a vegetable. They have a lot of options but of course they add up of you like a lot of variety. Since it's in a food court, seating is available but it gets crowded during lunch hours.

I didn't eat both meals

109 Yong Tau Foo: Mousie introduced me to this joint along Circular Road and it is motherfreaking delicious I think they put drugs and voodoo magic into this soup (Or possibly just MSG). I usually pick about 8 pieces and minimally three of which will be vegetables. They have this killer fried beancurd skin which they fry before putting into the soup but obviously if you're trying to be clean, you should forgo that. But you'll regret it. Because it is dynamite.I don't order any rice or noodles but rather just eat the pieces and drink the soup. The place gets really crowded but there is an air-conditioned upper level to sit at as well as lower level tables outdoors (which I only recommend if you don't perspire or you don't care if you perspire).

So many options!

Fried beancurd get into ma belly

The Healthy Society: This little cafe at Clifford Centre is tucked away at the corner on the second floor but it's probably quite well known because it gets pretty crowded. It doesn't have that much seating and they really cram you in there but for a set meal of a soup, a (small) salad and a main for between $9 - $14, it's quite worth it. You can choose between brown rice or lemony spaggies (which is honestly a stupid sounding abbreviation for 'spaghetti') to accompany your main protein. I almost always choose the Coriander Dory but I also really enjoy the over roasted chicken. The soup is usually a soup of the day so you don't get a choice but usually it's decently yummy.

Dooooooorrrrrrrryyyyyyy

Aight, so those were my top 5 healthier options for the CBD area. I hope you're feeling hungry.

Thanks for reading!